Netanyahu calls London’s decision to suspend arms sales licenses to Israel “shameful”

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He stresses that the Israeli army “will win the war, with or without British weapons” and argues that the decision “strengthens Hamas”

September 3 (EUROPA PRESS) –

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday called Britain’s decision to suspend 30 weapons licences to Israel “shameful” given the “clear risk” that the equipment could be used to commit “serious violations of international humanitarian law” and said the country “will win the war, with or without British weapons.”

“Days after Hamas executed six Israeli hostages, the UK government is suspending 30 arms licences to Israel,” he said, adding that “this shameful decision will not change Israel’s determination to defeat Hamas, a terrorist and genocidal organisation that brutally murdered 1,200 people on 7 October, including 14 British citizens.”

He stressed that “Hamas is still holding more than 100 hostages, including five Britons” and criticised that “instead of siding with Israel, an allied democracy that is defending itself against barbarism, the UK’s mistaken decision will only strengthen Hamas.”

“Israel is waging a just war with just means, taking unprecedented measures to keep civilians out of harm’s way and in full compliance with international law,” Netanyahu said in a statement released by his office on social media X.

In this regard, he noted that “just as Britain’s heroic stance against the Nazis is seen today as vital in the defence of our common civilisation, history will judge Israel’s stance against Hamas and Iran’s terror chief in the same way.” “With or without British weapons, Israel will win this war and secure our common future,” he concluded.

Shortly before, British Defence Minister John Healey had maintained that the suspension of these licences “will not have a material impact” on the country’s ability to defend itself and stressed that London remains “a firm ally” of the Asian country, amid the conflict unleashed after the attacks carried out on 7 October by Hamas and other Palestinian factions.

“We remain a strong ally of Israel,” he said, while emphasizing London’s “absolute determination” to “stand with Israel.” He noted that the decision stemmed from “respect for the rule of law” and the timing of the announcement. “We are in the midst of a bloody and brutal conflict. No day is a good day,” he stressed.

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy argued on Monday during his announcement that the measure “is not an arms embargo” in retaliation for the military offensive launched on the Gaza Strip, while maintaining that in conflicts of this type London has the “legal obligation” to review case by case the arms licenses that London authorizes.

The Israeli army launched an offensive against Gaza following the attacks on October 7, which left around 1,200 dead and nearly 250 kidnapped. The offensive has so far left around 40,800 Palestinians dead, according to the Gazan authorities, controlled by Hamas, a figure to which must be added more than 660 dead in the West Bank and East Jerusalem at the hands of Israeli forces or settlers.